“It is categorically not true,” said a spokesman from the party, which is led by Mariano Rajoy. The spokesman was commenting on a report by Reuters on Friday that the PP had discussed plans to seek a rescue package.

There is an old saying that you never know a rumour is true until it has been officially denied. I think that saying holds here in the case of Spain. Listen carefully to former Spanish premier Aznar in this video from last week. Nowhere does Aznar say that Spain will not seek a bailout. In fact, he insinuates that Spain may be forced to do so if markets are not calmed by his party’s credibility on fiscal discipline.

22 November 2011: Rajoy asks Merkel for "help from EU institutions" for Spain (El Pais): "Rajoy has expressed the need for countries that comply [with what Brussels requests] to be aided by community institutions. He explained that not everyone, those complying and those who are not, can receive the same treatment," [Dolores de Cospedal, secretary general and president of Castilla-La Mancha] said, suggesting that Spain, which according to Brussels is one of the ones that is fulfilling what Brussels has requested, should be among those countries which the ECB aids with their purchases [of government bonds].

And finally the suggestion that the ECB would monetise sovereign debt after such a bilateral deal would have to include Spain as well.

There was one line in the El Pais story which caught my eye in this respect. It reads:

Merkel es quien más se está resistiendo al que de momento parece el único remedio frente a las primas disparadas de Italia y España y hasta 12 países del euro. [Translation: Merkel is the one who is most resistant to what at the moment seems to be the only remedy in the face of yields shooting up in Italy, Spain and as many as 12 other countries in the eurozone].

Get that? 14 countries are under stress according to El Pais. So, I suggest any plan that we are likely to see in the coming days will not be just about Spain or just about Italy; it will be a comprehensive deal that encompasses the whole of the euro zone, Slovenia, Belgium, Austria, you name it. To me, this says that even apart from US objections, an IMF deal for Italy looks less likely whereas a bilateral aid deal followed by ECB rate targeting, monetisation and/or Eurobonds is more likely.

Edward Harrison is the founder of Credit Writedowns and a former career diplomat, investment banker and technology executive with over twenty years of business experience. He is also a regular economic and financial commentator on BBC World News, CNBC Television, Business News Network, CBC, Fox Television and RT Television. He speaks six languages and reads another five, skills he uses to provide a more global perspective. Edward holds an MBA in Finance from Columbia University and a BA in Economics from Dartmouth College. Edward also writes a premium financial newsletter. Sign up here for a free trial.

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7 Comments

Pragmatically…when investors make money from your ideas they contribute in money to the support of your ideas and insights, So is this a ‘risk on” development likely to last more than 1 day ? Is this a 55 point “gig” that will be faded or a real solution? my vote is the former,,,,whats yours?

Good question. I see this as a trading opportunity after a week of extreme oversold levels. Last week was the worst Thanksgiving week in the US since 1932 for example. The retail sales data and this news from Europe should mean a bounce especially if the European news is followed up by actual support.

So I wouldn’t call this risk on because the macro environment still points to recession in a place where P/E ratios should still be compressing/ But this could be a good trading bounce for sure – especially for retail

Ok…will participate in this and figure the rewards are minimal. Life a bottle of Macllan 18, or dinner at the Ritz Carlton in Washington with your “squeeze” or a few payments on the 6 series…..Thanks ed…….

Pragmatically…when investors make money from your ideas they contribute in money to the support of your ideas and insights, So is this a ‘risk on” development likely to last more than 1 day ? Is this a 55 point “gig” that will be faded or a real solution? my vote is the former,,,,whats yours?

Good question. I see this as a trading opportunity after a week of extreme oversold levels. Last week was the worst Thanksgiving week in the US since 1932 for example. The retail sales data and this news from Europe should mean a bounce especially if the European news is followed up by actual support.

So I wouldn’t call this risk on because the macro environment still points to recession in a place where P/E ratios should still be compressing/ But this could be a good trading bounce for sure – especially for retail

Ok…will participate in this and figure the rewards are minimal. Life a bottle of Macllan 18, or dinner at the Ritz Carlton in Washington with your “squeeze” or a few payments on the 6 series…..Thanks ed…….

[Translation: Merkel is the one who is most resistant to what at the
moment seems to be the only remedy in the face of spreads shooting up in Italy and Spain and in up to 12 other countries in the eurozone].

[Translation: Merkel is the one who is most resistant to what at the
moment seems to be the only remedy in the face of spreads shooting up in Italy and Spain and in up to 12 other countries in the eurozone].

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